SUCCESSES

All through my 40’s I have been struggling with my weight and in the last five years it spiraled out of control. I have tried weight loss products and they worked for a while until I stopped, and then gained it right back plus a few more pounds. I was trying to balance life, parenting, work, and kids activities. I put myself and my health last every time. I hated the way I looked, my energy level was zero, I felt miserable, movement was painful and it was becoming more and more difficult to do basic things.

Several of my friends went to Fast Fitness in the Loo and they kept encouraging me to join. I tried it out and I loved the atmosphere, the coaches and the workouts. My mobility immediately improved and I got stronger but I still didn’t adhere to a healthy diet and my weight continued to fluctuate. In the last year I learned that I have an egg allergy, then later learned I was also sensitive to dairy. After removing eggs and dairy from my diet, my tummy troubles went away and my joints stopped aching all the time. It turns out that all of my pain was not due to aging, it was the food I was eating. I did lose about 20 pounds but it leveled off. Over the summer I noticed spikes in my blood sugar readings. At that moment, I knew I had to make a major lifestyle change because I was well on my way to developing Type 2 Diabetes. My health was deteriorating and food was slowly destroying me. I added sugar to the list of things I couldn’t eat anymore. I started the diabetic diet that worked for me during both my pregnancies when I had gestational diabetes.

My food plan is simple: veggies, protein, sprouted whole grains, select fruit and lots and lots of water. I stopped eating all junk food, breaded food, white breads, rice, and pasta. I immediately noticed that my body wasn’t bloated, the cravings went away, I wasn’t hungry all the time, my energy went through the roof, my skin started becoming softer and looked less aged, I was sleeping better and the pounds were dropping. I dropped 32 pounds in three months and felt happy and energetic like I did in my 20s and 30s.

All the coaches at FF have been so encouraging on my journey. Coach Christine is always there to remind me that I am a bada$$. She is my morning sunshine and makes working out fun. Coach Roo and Coach Andrea also keep me in check and their spin classes are phenomenal. I have always loved cycling and I absolutely love spin class. Roo opened my eyes to many new food options and how to prepare them. One of the things that helped me immensely is when she invited members to participate in a meal prep food challenge. In this challenge she taught the group how to prepare a variety of foods. I actually ate beets for the first time and liked them! She also convinced me to try salmon for breakfast and since then breakfast has never been the same. I don’t focus on calories or fat grams, just getting quality carbohydrates and protein. My journey is not over, there is still work to do. It took me a long time to finally get my head in the right place and I’ve learned so much about myself and my body. The biggest lesson I have learned is that food is not for comfort. Food is for fueling my body and exercise is what keeps me pushing forward. Fast Fitness in the Loo has guided me on the path to being the best version of me that I can be. I’m in the best health I’ve ever been in and my heart is forever grateful for all the support and guidance that the coaches and members have given me.

In 2019 I found myself wanting and needing something just for me. I lost 50lbs luckily but knew I needed a lifestyle change to make it stick. I found Fast Fitness and decided to see what it was about. This Waterloo gym had all the components to keep me on track and that’s exactly what I needed. Set times, set workouts, and personal accountability. I joined FF in October 2019. The coaches have been encouraging and challenging. I have been able to keep the 50lbs off and decrease my body fat over 7%. This place has become a welcome escape to keep me in check physically and mentally. I can’t thank the coaches enough for all they have done and continue to do for me.

I joined Fast Fitness when they opened their doors in January 2017. It is still by far one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am stronger and healthier now than I was in my 20’s and 30’s. However, that has nothing to do with the scale.

Over the past several months I have discovered that all pounds are NOT created equal. There have been times over the past few years that I have weighed less, but I am wearing smaller size clothes now than when I started. Once I embraced the 3 M’s — Macros, Meal Prep and Muscle Mass, I really started to see results. I consistently eat around 1500 calories (1200 is just not enough if you are working out) and aim for 160 grams of protein per day. I was putting in the effort, but my body was not being fueled. Thanks to the coaches and other members for the motivation and encouragement along the way!

When I began my Fast Fitness Journey in May 2018 I weighed the most I had except when I was pregnant in my 20’s. But what really got me to join was I no longer fit in my clothes. I always told myself I would never wear a bigger size of clothes then I currently had in my closet. So I had reached the point where I had to either lose weight and get in shape or buy a new wardrobe of bigger clothes and be disappointed in myself.

I started going to FF 3 times a week and watching what I ate and drank. I quickly shed pounds and inches to get back in my clothes and actually by the fall had to buy a smaller size of jeans. I continued on working out three days a week but along the way I realized I was getting stronger. I could now carry the cooler filled with our camping food by myself. I could keep up with my husband when we went bike riding. I could climb Salt Lick Point a little easier – still can’t do it without huffing – but maybe one day I will! I could chase after my grandchildren and carry them easier.

Then in 2020 I decided to start working out four days a week – coming on arm and strength days so I could continue to build my strength. I am no longer as concerned with what the scales says and more happy to know my clothes fit well and I am a stronger, healthier and happier person because I work out. I have never been a person to enjoy exercising but at Fast Fitness they make it as easy as possible and are always helpful – I continue to need the coaches daily encouragement, help and guidance. I like to think I came for the Fast Fitness but found Slow and Steady is winning for me at Fast Fitness.

There comes a time in your life when you have an “Aha!” moment. A moment that just clicks. I’ve been overweight my entire life. I’ve always thought I was big boned; destined to never be a healthy weight. I used many excuses over the course of my life.

My Aha! Moment was after I had my daughter. I finally realized that being tired related to my mood, my mood set the tone, and the tone was never good. Food contributed to all those. I let food become a security blanket. I started becoming tired of being tired, being under motivated, being overweight. I started becoming the example I needed to be for my husband and my kids. I changed my diet and there really aren’t enough words to explain how much this has helped me.

There’s no fad diet or diet pill that is going to help you become healthy. They may aid in temporary weight loss, but it won’t be sustainable. The important thing to take a way is, that you are worth living a healthy life. You don’t need to be perfect but you need to be consistent. Fast Fitness has since then aided in my continued success! The coaches keep me motivated, are available at any time for questions and provide sound guidance! I am so thankful to be amongst amazing people!

I first started at Fast Fitness on a six week challenge in hopes of dropping some weight. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was about to embark on a life changing wellness journey that would encompass body, mind, and spirit. I realized that this wasn’t going to be just another diet, but rather a lifestyle change.

As I lost weight, I also began changing my overall mindset and making self care a priority. I came to see working out not as punishment for the foods I ate but as a celebration of what my body was capable of and as an incredible stress reliever. I have also been blessed with a tribe of supportive coaches and members who continue to challenge and encourage me. In no way am I at the end of this journey; I will always be working toward new goals and am excited to be doing so with my Loo Crew tribe.

Recently my daughter, Miss Elizabeth, sat down next to me while I was journaling and proceeded to write also. At least her version of journaling. And it made me think that this became much bigger than me since my family now enjoys eating healthier and have adopted their own practices that are more healthy. For example Elizabeth loves to eat healthy, she likes to exercise and be active and even my picky eater, Ben, is enjoying eating vegetables. Healthy habits somehow became contagious and it impacted my entire family in a very positive way. All I know is I am definitely living my best life!

I was always active with softball and volleyball until college; that’s when I started gaining weight. Regardless of what diet I tried and how much I exercised even with a personal trainer I’d lose the same 20-30 lbs and then plateau before regaining it back and more. This continued for years as I struggled to find a doctor to help with my thyroid, hormone, and metabolic issues.

I lost weight when I was pregnant, but as soon as my son was born, I started putting on weight faster than ever. As a new mom I put all of my focus and energy on our family and working full time. In 2014 I was at my highest weight and was miserable. It was then I knew I had to start getting my health back under control not only for my family, but for myself. I started working out again and focusing on nutrition and lost 60 lbs.

In 2017 when Fast Fitness first opened in Waterloo, I gave it a try. I have met some wonderful coaches and fellow members along my way. I’ve lost another 57 lbs with a few ups and downs in between. Many people think I’m crazy for getting up so early workout, but it has become a habit and I look forward to the 30 minutes of me time and the feeling when it is done. I have lost a total 117 lbs so far but haven’t met my goal yet. I hope to continue my weight loss journey, but have realized it is about overall health and that I feel better physically and mentally when I make time for myself to work out a priority.